Slide fastener



Nov. 24,1970 A. A. SIM I 3541 549 SLIDE PASTE-NPR Filed Dec. 20, 196B INVENTOR. 4: ,4 A. 57/

MSIM A TTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,541,649 SLIDE FASTENER Alan A. Sim, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Textron Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 785,545 Int. Cl. A44b 19/10, 19/ 34 US. Cl. 24-205.1 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A slide fastener and stringer for an invisible type slide fastener having a plurality of interlocking elements formed from a continuous filament of a zig-zag type configuration. The interlocking elements on each filament configuration are formed from those heel portions interconnecting successive pairs of closely spaced leg members and the other series of heel portions interconnect spaced apart leg members. A tape can be attached to the heel portions of the spaced apart leg members and folded in a manner such that the folded edges of each tape will simulate a seam when the fastener is in the closed position.

This invention relates to a slide fastener and, more particularly, to a continuous filament type slide fastener whose construction permits the simulation of a seam when the fastener is in the closed position.

Slide fasteners have been manufactured from a continuous filament bent initially to a zig-zag configuration and then further deformed to provide a plurality of successive substantially U-shaped. elements located in alignment with each other and extending in a given longitudinal direction. In the resulting configuration, pairs of leg members of adjacent U-shaped elements are interconnected by U-shaped heel portions with successive pairs of U-shaped elements being interconnected by U-shaped heel portions located on alternate sides of the axis extending the length of the stringer. Normally, a stringer so formed is secured to a carrying tape to make continuous slide fastener chain in a manner such that each bight portion of each U-shaped element is spaced from the edge of the carrying tape, with each bight portion deformed to provide an interlocking head.

Heretofore, the use of two such stringers to provide a concealed type fastener, wherein the fastener in the closed position simulates a seam, has not proven satisfactory. In one embodiment, the edge of the carrying tape is inserted edgewise longitudinally between the leg members of the plurality of U-shaped elements located in alignment with each other, after which a double fold is placed in the carrying-tape, such that the second fold formed in each carrying tape abuts, one against the other, when the fastener is in the closed position. In another embodiment, the stringer on each carrying tape is attached thereto with the U-shaped heel portions of the stringer located adjacent the edge of the carrying tape, after which a fold is placed in each carrying tape so that the interengaging U-shaped elements project outwardly from the fold line, with the folds in each carrying tape engaging to form a seam when the fastener is in the closed position. In each of these embodiments, the stringer comprises a plurality of successive U-shaped elements interconnected by a plurality of U-shaped heel portions on opposite sides of the axis extending the length of the stringer, all of which tend to make the fastener bulky and rigid along its longitudinal axis. Furthermore, in a fastener application, transverse forces are exerted on the tapes which tend to rotate the stringers about the axis along which the elements engage to separate the folded edges and expose the interengaging elements, whereby 3,541,649 Patented Nov. 24, 1970 "Ice the fastener loses its appearance of being a concealed fastener.

In the present invention, the continuous filament is initially bent into a substantially zig-zag configuration lying in a given plane, after which the configuration is further deformed in a manner such that the U-shaped heel portions lie in a first plane, and the interengaging elements lie in a second plane. When two such assemblies are brought together by means of a slider, the interengaging elements of one stringer will lie underneath the leg members of the U-shaped heel portions of the other stringer and prevent the objectionable rotation of the two stringers about the axis along which the elements engage, whereby the fastener closure continuously maintains the appearance of a seam.

It is the general object of this invention to provide a slide fastener having continuous filamentary stringers of a new configuration which in its closed position simulates a seam.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stringer of the continuous filament type for a slide fastener, which can be readily mounted to the edge of its carrying tape.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a continuous filament having a new and dilferent slide fastener stringer configuration which in its application to a carrying tape permits the slide fastener to close an opening so as to appear as a seam.

A further object of this invention is to provide a continuous filament slide fastener of the concealed type which maintains, the folded edges of the carrying tapes in continuous contact to simulate the appearance of a seam.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention can be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the slide fastener of the present invention, with the slider in the partially closed position;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1 with a portion of the slider cut away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the progressive steps necessary to form the stringer of this invention from a continuous filament; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a length of the filamentary stringers.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is shown a slide fastener that incorporates the novel filamentary stringer configuration of this invention. Each carrying tape 10 is folded lengthwise adjacent one edge 12 to form a folded edge 14 and a marginal portion 15. A continuous filamentary stringer 16 is secured by sewing threads 18 to marginal portion 15 with all of the interlocking loop elements 20 of stringer 16 projecting beyond folded edge 14. Thus, when the pull tab of slider 22 is moved to the closed position, folded edges 14 of tapes 10 are moved into abutting relationship and retained by interlocking loop elements 20 to simulate a seam 24.

To manufacture the filamentary structure, there is shown in FIG. 4 the successive steps of progressively forming the filamentary material. Continuous filament 26 is initially formed in a modified zig-zag or meander configuration on forming apparatus similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. 3,106,749, issued on Oct. 15, 1963 to K. Streicher. The modified zig-zag or meander configuration is initially formed to lie entirely within a first plane with the series of U-shaped heel portions 28 located on one side of the configuration and a series of looped interengaging elements 20 located on the other side of the configuration.

Successive pairs of transverse leg members 34 and 36, interconnected by looped intergengaging elements 20 are spaced closely adjacent to each other, whereas transverse leg members 34 and 36 interconnected by U-shaped heel portions 28 are spaced apart as determined by the length of bight portion 38 of heel portion 28.

Once the meander configuration is generated in the first plane, the configuration is progressively moved to the next station wherein the central portion of each of transverse leg members 34 and 36 are bent uniformly so as to form a series of biased leg members 40 and 42, respectively, all of which lie in a second common plane inclined relative to the first common plane. In forming the series of biased leg members 40 and 42, the series of looped elements 20 are now made to lie in a third common plane which is located substantially parallel to the first common plane that includes U-shaped heel portions 28. However, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a series of looped elements 20 of each of the pair of stringers 16 lie in a common third plane and readily mesh with their opposite number, and the series of U-shaped heel portions 28 of each of the pair of stringers are located in a common first plane which is at a different level from the third plane containing the series of looped elements 20 of both stringers.

Once each continuous filament 26 is wound into a continuous filament stringer 16 of the configuration described hereinabove, each stringer 16 is then attached to marginal portion of tape 10. First tape 10 is positioned to overly stringer 16 in a manner such that its longitudinal edge 48 is spaced closely adjacent to each bight portion 38 of the series of heel portions 28. A sewn thread 18 can then be made to pierce tape 10 and passed about those successive pairs of transverse leg members 34 and 36, interconnected by looped interengaging elements 20, and adjacent to their connection with heel portions 28. Now that continuous filament stringer 16 is attached to tape 10, tape 10 can be folded lengthwise to provide folded edge 14 and marginal portion 15. That portion of tape 10 located intermediate free edge 12 and folded edge 14 proves sufficient material for attachment of the fastener to a garment, not shown, in a concealed application.

In operation, a slider 22 having opposite curved flange members '62 and 64 and actuated by a pull tab 66 will slidably engage heel portions 28 of each stringer 16, cause the interengaging elements of stringers to be brought together and intermesh. Interengaging elements 20 of one stringer will be nested underneath heel portions 28 of the other stringer and will not be permitted to pass through the space separating leg members 34 and 36 interconnected by heel portion 28. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, each loop element 20 is formed to have a substantially circular shape. It should be understood, however, that elements 20 can be formed to any shape as long as that dimension of the element which is substantially transverse to the general longitudinal direction of leg members 34 and 36 is greater than the distance separating spaced apart leg members 34 and 36 interconnected by bight portion 38 of U-shaped heel portion 28. When slider 22 is moved to the closed position, folded edges 14 of tapes 10 will be brought into abutting relationship to thereby simulate a seam. With the proper application of the fastener to the garment, the fastener will be fully concealed. It should also be observed that any forces exerted upon tapes 10 to expose elements 20 will tend to force elements 20 of one stringer into more positive engagement with the underside of legs 34 and 36.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to one embodiment and it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A stringer for a slide fastener formed from a continuous filament bent in a uniform repetitious manner to extend along a given axis, comprising:

a series of U-shaped heel portions each lying in a first common plane with the two leg members of adjacent heel portions placed next to each other, and all of said leg members of said series of U-shaped heel portions extending in substantially the same direction;

intermediate leg members lying in a second common plane inclined to said first common plane, with each of said inter-mediate leg members being substantially parallel to each other and each connected to a corresponding leg member of each of said U-shaped heel portions located in said first common plane; and,

a series of interlocking means located in a third common plane which is substantially parallel to said first plane and interconnecting said pairs of intermediate leg members connected to said two leg members of said heel portions placed next to each other.

2. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said interlocking means is substantially annular in configuration and formed from said continuous filamentary material to lie in said third plane.

3. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 2, wherein each of said annular shaped interlocking means is symmetrically placed relative to an axis located intermediate said pair of intermediate leg members connected thereto.

4. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 2, wherein the distance separating said leg members of each of said U-shaped heel portions measured parallel to said given axis is less than the distance separating the outermost peripheral surfaces of said annular shaped interlocking means also measured parallel to said given axis.

5. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 4, wherein said annular shaped interlocking means includes a substantially ring-shaped member having a substantially constant diameter.

6. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said intermediate leg members located in said second plane and interconnecting said leg members of said U-shaped heel portions in said first plane to the said interlocking means in said third plane are each of a length to place said first and second planes in separate parallel relationship.

7. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 6, wherein said first and third planes are separated by a distance which is less than half the thickness of said filamentary material.

8. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein said two leg members of said adjacent heel portions and said intermediate leg members connected thereto lie in side-by-side relationship with the surfaces of the filamentary material forming said side-by-side leg members contacting each other throughout their length.

9. A stringer for a slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein said two leg members of said adjacent heel portions are positioned in side-by-side relationship, with the bight portion of each of said adjacent heel portions fiexibly supporting said leg members whereby adjacent interlocking means can be splayed apart while said leg members remain stationary relative to each other.

10. A slide fastener including a slider comprising, in

a combination:

a pair of elongated continuous filaments each deformed respectively to provide a series of U-shaped members, each of which includes a pair of leg members joined by a bight portion, said U-shaped members located in a first common plane and uniformly arranged with successive pairs of U-shaped members spaced closely adjacent to each other so that their adjacent leg members are placed substantially next to each other;

a series of intermediate leg members formed from each continuous filament to be in a second plane, inclined to said first plane, with each of said intermediate leg members connected to a corresponding leg member of said U-shaped members,

a series of interlocking elements formed from each continuous filament to lie in a third plane inclined to said second plane and substantially parallel to said first plane, each of said interlocking elements interconnecting a pair of said adjacent leg members of said pair of U-shaped members;

an elongated carrier tape positioned over each of said series of U-shaped members formed from each of said pair of continuous filaments, with the edge side of said tape overlying said bight portion of said U-shaped members, said tape folded lengthwise with the fold overlying said intermediate leg members; and

means for securing each of said tapes to their respective filamentary structure,

whereby when said slider is moved to a closed position to interengage said interlocking elements, the folded edges of said carrier tapes are brought together to simulate a seam.

11. A slide fastener according to claim 10, wherein each of said intermediate leg members lying in said second plane and formed from a common filament are positioned substantially parallel to each other.

12. A slide fastener according to claim 11, wherein pairs of intermediate leg members lying in said second plane and interconnected by said interlocking elements are in side-by-side relationship and touch each other throughout their length.

13. A slide fastener according to claim 12, wherein each series of intermediate leg members formed from each continuous filament lie in their own second planes, with the second planes containing the series of intermediate leg members, of a pair of filaments normally intersecting along a common axis, said common axis passing through substantially the mid-point of each of said intermediate axis.

14. A slide fastener according to claim 13-, wherein said series of pairs of intermediate leg members formed from one of said filaments engage said series of pairs of intermediate leg members formed from said other filament at a plurality of points, with all of said points lying in said common axis.

15. A slide fastener according to claim 10, wherein the width of each of said interlocking elements formed from said continuous filament to lie in said third plane is greater than the distance separating said leg members of said U- shaped members.

16. A slide fastener according to claim 15, wherein each series of interlocking elements formed from each continuous filament lie in a concurrent third plane.

17. A slide fastener according to claim 16, wherein said series of U-shaped members formed from one continuous filament and said series of U-shaped members formed from the other continuous filament lie in a substantially common first plane, which is located substantially parallel to said third plane.

18. A slide fastener according to claim 17, wherein said first and third planes are spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to half the thickness of said continuous filament whereby when said fastener is in the closed position, each of said interlocking elements formed from said one continuous filament is nested underneath said U-shaped members formed from said other continuous filament.

19. A slide fastener according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of said filament forming any of said intermediate leg members is less than half the distance separating said leg members of any one of said U-shaped members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,030,895 2/1936 Quisling 24205.12 X 3,482,290 12/ 196-9 Uhrig. 3,484,906 12/1969 Yoshida.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 24205.13, 205.15 

